Conversion therapy with children or vulnerable adults prohibited, medical assistance coverage prohibited for conversion therapy, and misrepresentation of conversion therapy services or products prohibited.
The bill amends existing Minnesota statutes to prevent mental health practitioners from engaging in conversion therapy with clients under 18 years of age or those deemed vulnerable adults. Violations of this prohibition are classified as unprofessional conduct, which could lead to disciplinary actions against the offending practitioners. Moreover, the bill explicitly states that medical assistance will not cover conversion therapy services, impacting financial support for these practices within the healthcare system.
House File 951 (HF951) is a legislative act aimed at prohibiting the practice of conversion therapy directed at children and vulnerable adults in Minnesota. The bill defines conversion therapy as any practice by a mental health professional that seeks to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. Importantly, it specifies that supportive counseling intended to assist individuals in their gender transition or to provide acceptance is not included under this definition, thereby preserving certain therapeutic practices that focus on support rather than change.
Opponents of conversion therapy assert that such practices can lead to significant psychological harm to individuals, particularly minors. Advocates for HF951 believe it is essential to protect children and vulnerable populations from potentially damaging interventions that may conflict with their identities. On the other hand, some dissenters express concerns about the implications for parental rights and the extent of government regulation on mental health services, arguing that it may limit the freedoms of mental health practitioners to provide diverse therapeutic options.
In summary, HF951 reflects a growing trend among states to safeguard individuals from harmful interventions aimed at altering their sexual orientation or gender identity. Through its prohibition of conversion therapy, combined with measures against misrepresentations in its advertisement and practice, the bill seeks to establish a protective framework for vulnerable populations while navigating the complexities of mental health treatment and parental rights.